By Nelson EspinalShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe New York Mets traded away long-time outfielder Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien in a one-for-one deal that should heat the hot stove.
The Mets looked to improve their infield defense by trading for a plus glove like Semien, though it was pretty surprising that a fan-favorite and core locker room piece like Nimmo left.
More news: Yankees, Mets Reportedly In the Mix for Kyle Tucker
The deal shows they are focusing on their fielding across their lineup, and Nimmo was one of the more average left fielders in terms of defense. He ended up at the 47th percentile in field run value, according to Baseball Savant.
New York has the right field spot locked down for the next decade with Juan Soto, but they currently only have Jeff McNeil and Tyrone Taylor as their options in the other two places.
...It is fair to assume they will sign a couple of outfielders, and according to MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand, they could end up signing one of the top two in this year's free agent class.
"Trading Nimmo certainly creates a vacancy in the Mets’ outfield, and given that the widespread belief was that they were already planning on making a push for Tucker and/or Bellinger, this deal makes it all but certain that they will try to sign one of those two outfielders," Feinsand wrote.
"For Tucker and Bellinger, having the big-budget Mets involved in any potential bidding war has to be viewed as a positive."
More news: Kyle Schwarber Reportedly Has Surprise Suitor in Free Agent Sweepstakes
Either Tucker or Bellinger would be a significant boost and help make up for Soto's lackluster range, while allowing the line-up to gain some much-needed depth.
Tucker is going to want the bigger deal with more years and a higher average annual value, but he is a better player, younger, and far more consistent than Bellinger.
What Bellinger does offer is better positional flexibility — Tucker is notably more comfortable in the corner spots. At the same time, the former Los Angeles Dodger primarily plays center field, the position where fielding and overage matter most.
Regardless of who they sign, the Mets should end up with a better defense next season and a deeper lineup.
For all the latest MLB news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
MLBMets Blockbuster Trade Idea Lands Brewers All-Star in 3-Player Swap3 min read
MLBYankees Get Estimated Trade Cost to Land Brewers’ Freddy Peralta3 min read
MLBMets Get Bleak Outlook for Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz After Brandon Nimmo Report3 min read
MLBRed Sox Projected To Sign $182 Million Superstar After Big Season2 min read
MLBFormer Blue Jays, Guardians Outfielder Retires After 6 Seasons: Report2 min read
MLBPhillies MVP Candidate Projected To Sign Huge 4-Year, $120 Million Contract2 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
WorldRussia-Ukraine: Zelensky Thanks 13 Leaders After Trump Remark2 min read
NewsUncommon Knowledge: Trump May Be Winning the Global Climate Change Debate6 min read
WorldRepublican Says US ‘About to Go In’ to Venezuela, With Oil a Key Reason4 min read
NewsTrump Admin Reacts After James Comey, Letitia James Cases Dismissed5 min read
NewsCampbell Soup at Risk of Being ‘Shut Down’ in Florida After Secret Audio4 min read
NewsSamuel Alito’s Ruling on Texas Election Map Challenged at Supreme Court4 min readTrending
National Weather ServiceWinter Storm Alert Issued as 12 Inches of Snow Set To Hit3 min read
Higher EducationFull List of Degrees Not Classed As ‘Professional’ by Trump Admin8 min read
WeatherWinter Weather Alerts in 4 States As 18 Inches of Snow To Hit3 min read
WeatherMaps Show Snow Risk for Each State Over Thanksgiving 2025 Holidays3 min read
Russia-Ukraine WarRussia-Ukraine: Zelensky Thanks 13 Leaders After Trump Remark2 min readOpinion
OpinionFour Ways to Fight Trump’s Golden Age of Corruption | Opinion5 min read
OpinionThe Post-Shutdown Mandate—It’s Time for California to Lead | Opinion5 min read
OpinionDon’t Let Monopoly Utilities Kill Clean Consumer Choices | Opinion4 min read
Opinion‘AI Plus’ Is China’s Master Plan to Build an AI-Native Society by 2035 | Opinion5 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: The Trump and Mamdani Edition2 min read
